Cold sensitivity evaluation in different peach cultivars under low temperature stress through lipid remodeling

Peaches are sensitive to low temperatures (LT), and this sensitivity affects their quality. Therefore, evaluating the cold sensitivity of peach cultivars is crucial for assessing their quality. This study aimed to assess the cold sensitivity of five peach cultivars through lipid remodeling. Among these cultivars, 'Chibaifen' peaches were the most sensitive to chilling injury (CI), with the greatest changes in phosphatidylcholines (PCs) and triacylglycerols (TAGs) and the highest levels of fold change, abundance, and unsaturation of TAGs induced by low temperatures (LT). In contrast, 'Hujing' peaches were the least sensitive to CI, showing minimal changes in PCs and TAGs, and the lowest levels of fold change, abundance, and unsaturation of each lipid component induced by LT. Additionally, we conducted correlation analysis to identify key lipid components and lipid metabolism genes that influenced how different peach cultivars respond to LT stress. This study provides a scientific basis for developing superior peach cultivars and enhances our understanding of how lipid metabolism is regulated at the transcriptional and post-translational levels.